| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey: and he found this wandering habit likely to extend to his labors.
Nevertheless, he made a start.
At the outset he discovered Bess to be both a considerable help
in some ways and a very great hindrance in others. Her excitement
and joy were spurs, inspirations; but she was utterly
impracticable in her ideas, and she flitted from one plan to
another with bewildering vacillation. Moreover, he fancied that
she grew more eager, youthful, and sweet; and he marked that it
was far easier to watch her and listen to her than it was to
work. Therefore he gave her tasks that necessitated her going
often to the cave where he had stored his packs.
Riders of the Purple Sage |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: "We are here; -- take courage."
"Ah, it's all over! You are come too late -- you are come to
see me die. What blows, what blood!" He fainted. Ali and his
master conveyed the wounded man into a room. Monte Cristo
motioned to Ali to undress him, and he then examined his
dreadful wounds. "My God!" he exclaimed, "thy vengeance is
sometimes delayed, but only that it may fall the more
effectually." Ali looked at his master for further
instructions. "Bring here immediately the king's attorney,
M. de Villefort, who lives in the Faubourg St. Honore. As
you pass the lodge, wake the porter, and send him for a
The Count of Monte Cristo |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: and Trenchard should not be allowed to confer apart, he smoked a fear
on Sir Rowland's part, based upon the baronet's consciousness of his
own guilt. He turned from him with a sneering smile, and without so
much as consulting his associates he glanced at Wilding and waved his
hand towards the door.
"Pray do as you suggest, Mr. Wilding," said he. "But I depend upon
you not to tax our patience."
"I shall not keep Mr. Trenchard a moment longer than is necessary,"
said Wilding, giving no hint of the second meaning in his words.
He stepped to the door, opened it himself, and signed to Trenchard
to pass out. The old player obeyed him readily, if in silence. An
|
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Desert Gold by Zane Grey: Her terror had struck him helpless. It was so intense--it was so
full of horrible certainty of what fate awaited her.
She cried out in Spanish, beseeching him; and as he shook his head,
she changed to English:
"Senor, my lover, I will be strong--I will fight--I will obey.
But swear by my Virgin, if need be to save me from Rojas--you will
kill me!"
"Mercedes! Yes, I'll swear," he replied hoarsely. "I know--I'd
rather have you dead than-- But don't give up. Rojas can't be
sure of you, or he wouldn't wait. He's in there. He's got his
men there--all around us. But he hesitates. A beast like Rojas
Desert Gold |
